by Leigh Goessl

Created on: April 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

A workaholic is someone who tends to be addicted to their work. Often the workaholic neglects other aspects of their lives in favor of work as a result of this compulsory behavior.

For the workaholic priorities lie with their work and as a result family or other commitments tend to get pushed to the wayside. As they develop their daily schedules their focus is geared into work issues and this is where their attention is directed and personal and social life may suffer.

Here are a few signs which signal you may be a workaholic:

*Work a lot of overtime

Do you jump at the opportunity for overtime whether you get paid or not? If you are driven by the idea of work and compensation is a secondary consideration, this may be a red flag you are addicted to your work.

Workaholics tend to work for the joy of it, but it goes beyond fulfillment and happiness. It is a compulsive need which itches until it is scratched. They'll work without compensation and even though they may be exhausted, this is not a deterrent. The more hours they can log in, the better.

*Too focused on work

If you are finding yourself thinking about work when you go to bed and jumping out of bed in the morning with your assignments on your mind, this is also a sign that may tender you a workaholic. It is not a definitive signal, but it is a red flag if combined with some of the other signs of being a workaholic.

Work is a part of life, but work does not define living. If you find yourself constantly having work issues on the brain, this either means the job has you too stressed out or you might be addicted to it.

*Work commitments overshadows personal ones

If a conflict in schedule arises between a work and a personal commitment, do you habitually choose work, even if it is during hours traditionally off the clock? When dual demands are made on your time, does your family life always get pushed to the side?

If you are constantly neglecting personal and familial obligations in order to pacify or impress a boss, this too lends credence to acting as a workaholic. Even if your motives aren't to impress anyone, but simply because you prefer work over social life, it leans towards your being a workaholic.

*Your primary purpose in life is work

Do you feel your work defines who you are and is your purpose for living? If so, a definitive sign you are a workaholic. A person's job is a part of them, but it does not define who someone is.

The workaholic also tends to put heavy and excessive emphasis about how other professionals,

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